Publisher's Synopsis
Josephine was a murderer, drug abuser, alcoholic, promiscuous teenager, and mentally ill, but she was a mother. She was charged with the responsibility of a child and before that child, six others. The first six escaped, either to other lives or an afterlife. She gave birth to her last child at the age of twenty-two. This would be the child who felt responsibility for the parent, a desire to keep her safe, concern for her welfare. Sabine is a child with a constant yearning to know who she is and where she fits. This child would have a gift. The story is Josephine's and the family before her, but the burden falls on the child with the gift, the child with the yearning, Sabine. This coming-of-age story begins in the neglected, isolated mansion Josephine inherited from her alcoholic father. Sabine wanders the country roads, weaving herself into the lives of neighbors.
When Josephine is hospitalized, Sabine has an opportunity to be fostered by Ms. Emily, a kind, grandmotherly woman, aware of the Dunn family history. Just when Sabine thinks her circumstances could not be better, her estranged brother, Billy, Josephine's only son, returns. Cautious, at first, Sabine learns to accept and love him, recognizing he is the answer to her deepest yearning. Sabine savors her new relationships, always wary they could end. Her premonitions unfold, proving her intuitions and hauntings are indeed truth. Socially isolated and unique, Sabine could be a survivor or a victim. She must constantly readjust to her reality. Josephine's struggle continues, leaving Sabine with a series of journals, which she reads in Josephine's Journals, book two in the series. What could be a tragic tale, is told with compassion and humor: "What's so funny, Mrs. Emily/" Sabine grinned, getting tickled herself, without knowing what Emily was laughing about. "Well, I guess it's not really funny, it's a little sad, but last week I went to Margaret Lawson's for bridge. You know the Timmons sisters. They were all there, Opal, Pearl and Ruby. Well, the oldest one, Ruby, she's had some issues lately with forgetfulness and such. When she arrived, I noticed she had her ear bobs on backwards. The clip part was facing out. You know what I mean? Well, I immediately put my hand to my ears to check my own, then I glanced around to see if anyone else noticed. I made mention to Margaret, and she said leave it be, so I didn't say anything to Ruby, but it was very distracting during the game," Emily said, seeming a little concerned. "I just want to let you know, Sabine, if you ever notice anything like that on me, please let me know. I suppose if you have pierced ears, you can leave the little earrings in and not have to worry if they are on backwards...." "Hmm, I look at you all the time Mrs. Emily," Sabine said. "I notice your eyes smile before your lips, your hair curls up in humidity, when you wear that steel gray jacket your eyes turn the same steely color. I can tell if you didn't sleep well, you have some maroon lines that form under your eyes and your upper lids droop a little. I look at you Mrs. Emily.". "I look at you too, Sabine," Emily said with glistening eyes. "I guess I'll be looking at you with pierced ears in a few days." Readers who enjoy Fannie Flagg's stories of the South, Where the Crawdads Sing, and/or Sarah Addison Allen's novels might enjoy this Texas gothic family saga series.
